*Grand Slam history. Williams, who won her 101st match at the U.S. Open on Thursday — putting her in a tie with fellow American Chris Evert for most ever — is chasing her 24th Grand Slam singles title, which would match Margaret Court’s record. Williams has won six U.S. Open titles, tying Evert for most all-time. Williams won her first as a 17-year-old, 20 years ago.

*Canadian history. Andreescu, who is a virtual lock to be named the WTA’s Newcomer of the Year (she’d join Carling Bassett-Seguso and Genie Bouchard as Canadians to win the honour), is trying to become the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam title.

*A big payday. The winner lands a cheque for $3.85 million, while the runner-up scores a tidy $1.9 million.

*Revenge. Citing a back injury, Williams bowed out against Andreescu in the final at the Rogers Cup in Toronto last month in a match that lasted just 19 minutes. The Canadian consoled her aging opponent on court and both players have been complimentary to one another in the public eye, but it’s obvious Williams, one of the fiercest competitors to play the game, will want to make amends on her “home” court.

DID YOU KNOW?

*The age gap between Williams and Andreescu — 18 years, 254 days — is the largest ever in a women’s Grand Slam singles final. Williams won her first major title on Sept. 11, 1999, at the U.S. Open. Andreescu was born on June 16, 2000.

*Williams will move to world No. 6 with a win on Saturday, while Andreescu will make her debut inside the top 10 on Monday and can rise to No. 5 with a win.

*Andreescu is an astonishing 7-0 against top-10 opponents and can make it 8-0 on Saturday.

*With Andreescu’s win on Thursday night, she joined a list of just six women to have reached a major final in four major appearances or less. Should she win on Saturday, the Canadian will tie Monica Seles’ Open Era record for fastest to win a Slam. Seles won in 1990 at Roland Garros in her fourth major appearance. Andreescu is one of only four women to make the final four in her first main-draw appearance.

*Andreescu is the first Canadian to reach the final at the U.S. Open. Toronto-born Bassett-Seguso made it to the semifinals at Flushing Meadows in 1984 and Lois Moyes did it in 1909, while Milos Raonic and Genie Bouchard are the only other Canucks to make the final of a Grand Slam, reaching finals at Wimbledon in 2016 and 2014, respectively.

*After dominating in Grand Slam finals throughout the bulk of her career, Williams, who turns 38 later this month, has lost five of her past seven and all three she has played since returning to the game last year after the birth of her daughter, Olympia, in September 2017. She has not won a tournament since her return to the tour.

*Williams is returning to the site of her infamous meltdown last August. Her arguments with chair umpire Carlos Ramos largely overshadowed Naomi Osaka’s first career Grand Slam win.

Mississauga, Ont., native Bianca Andreescu looks like she can’t believe she won after dispatching Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in their semifinal match at the U.S. Open on Thursday. GETTY IMAGES

YOU CAN QUOTE ME ON THAT

A selection of quotes from both players in the lead-up to the final:

Andreescu, after advancing to the semifinals: “I need someone to pinch me right now. Is this real life?”

Andreescu, to Williams, while consoling the latter on court during the Rogers Cup final in which Williams was forced to retire: “You are a beast. You’re going to bounce back. You’ve dealt with so much in your career, this is just a minor setback for a major comeback, I’m sure.”

Williams, after the Rogers Cup final: “I think Bianca is a great girl, always have. That’s why I have always wanted to play her. She’s just a fabulous personality. I’m officially a fan.”

Andreescu, upon reaching the final: “It’s just crazy what a year can do.” She ended 2018 ranked 178th and will be inside the top 10 on Monday.

Williams, upon advancing to her 33rd career Grand Slam singles final: “To be in yet another final, it seems honestly crazy. But I don’t really expect too much less.”

SHANTZ’S PREDICTION

Serena has looked fit and in form throughout her run at Flushing Meadows and she’s been here and done that, while no player has been hotter than Bianca this summer hardcourt season. Picking a winner in this one is a fool’s game, but we’ll take the youngster in an epic three-setter for the ages. Wait, no, scratch that. She’ll do it in straight sets, because, well, why not?

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